CEO of MassEnvelopePlus Drops Out of Massachusetts Governor Race

Monday, July 15, 2002

Press release from the issuing company

July 15, 2002 -- (WhatTheyThink.com) -- Steve Grossman stepped out of the Democratic race for governor of Massachusetts on Friday. Grossman is CEO of MassEnvelopePlus and former chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
Grossman hoped to capitalize on his experience as a CEO and tenure as the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee in the late 90’s.
When he was Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Grossman was credited with bringing strict accountability to the party’s operations, virtually retiring the party’s debt, and laid the groundwork for the Democrats’ success in the 1998 elections.
MassEnvelopePlus was started by Steve’s grandfather, Max Grossman. Steve grew the company eight-fold over the last 26 years. Steve Grossman’s oldest son David just became the first member of the fourth generation to join the business. The union shop is celebrating its 50th year and has never had a strike, a lockout or a matter go to arbitration. Production employees are paid “30% more than competitors”, and employees return the favor with an average of 22 years of service.
In the end, it was about money. Even though Grossman spent more than $4 million on his campaign, the latest poll numbers showed his candidacy was stalled in the single digits. Despite the support of former President Clinton, his poor showing in the polls could not be ignored. "While we had improved in the polls, we hadn't improved enough," Grossman said.
The remaining Democrats vying for the party's nomination are former labor secretary Robert Reich, State Treasurer Shannon O'Brien, former state Sen. Warren Tolman and Senate President Thomas Birmingham.
Clinton campaigned for Grossman even though Reich, Clinton's former labor secretary, was also in the race. "I think Bob Reich's entry in the race had significant impact on my ability to be competitive," Grossman told the Boston Globe. "But that's politics," he added.
The Globe also said Grossman's lack of natural political charisma and his inability to connect in the campaign made his bid for governor an occasionally lonely one. The poll of 600 primary voters released by Grossman's campaign showed O'Brien with 28 percent; Reich, 20 percent; Grossman, 9 percent; Senate President Thomas F. Birmingham, 8 percent; and Warren Tolman, the former state senator, with 5 percent.
Below is the Statement of Steve Grossman to Supporters:
It has been my honor and privilege to campaign for governor for the last 26 months. I have spoken with tens of thousands of citizens in every corner of the state and it has been one of the most energizing experiences of my life.
Our campaign has been about the issues and values that I’ve cared about and fought for throughout my life: social and economic justice and building coalitions in our increasingly multiethnic, multicultural, multiracial society. I am proud that the coalition that we built in this campaign reflects those values.
However, as a practical businessman I understand that a victory in the primary is not in the cards for me this year. Therefore, after talking to my wife, Barbara, and my family, I am ending my campaign for governor.
I will continue to fight for the critical issues that I have raised throughout this campaign: reducing the cost of prescription drugs for every citizen, creating a 21st century teacher corps and bringing economic opportunity to every individual and region of this state.
I believe these progressive democratic values will only be advanced with the election of a Democratic Governor in November, and I will support and work as hard as I can to ensure the election of our primary nominee.